HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 口, rank #3032, Hard
商
Shāng
surname Shang
HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 口, rank #3032, Hard
商
Shāng
dealer
HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 口, rank #3032, Hard
商
Shāng
quotient (as in 智商[zhi4 shang1], intelligence quotient)
HSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 口, rank #3032, Hard
Shāng(Shang1) T1
1the Shang dynasty, 16th to 11th century BC
2commerce
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
商Shāng(Shang1)
The character 商 (shāng) primarily means 'commerce' or 'business', and is often used in contexts related to trade and economic activities. It can also refer to the Shang Dynasty, an important historical period in China, and carries nuances related to consulting or advising. In music, it denotes the second note in the pentatonic scale.
Strokes11Radical口Frequency#3032DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The character 商 is deeply connected to China's historical Shang Dynasty, which is known for its advances in bronze working and the development of early Chinese writing. This dynasty's influence is still evident in Chinese culture and history today.
Memory Tip
Imagine a shopkeeper (商) standing outside their store, eager to discuss deals and trade with customers. The character looks like a person with arms raised, ready to engage in commerce. Think of 'Shang' as 'shop' to connect the sound with its meaning.
Meanings of 商
Shāng(Shang1)
1the Shang dynasty, 16th to 11th century BC
2commerce
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 商
商Simplified
11Strokes
口Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3032Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 商
Podcast: 商
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AI Study Notes for 商
Quick Contrast
交易 (jiāoyì, transaction) — use 商 (shāng) for broader concepts of commerce, while 交易 (jiāoyì) specifically refers to the act of trading.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a shopkeeper (商) standing outside their store, eager to discuss deals and trade with customers. The character looks like a person with arms raised, ready to engage in commerce. Think of 'Shang' as 'shop' to connect the sound with its meaning.
Usage Notes
商 is commonly used in formal and informal contexts related to business. Be cautious with its tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning. Typical collocations include 商业 (shāngyè - commerce), 商务 (shāngwù - business affairs), and 智商 (zhìshāng - IQ).
HSK Study Tips
商 is relevant for learners at HSK Level 4 and above, especially those interested in business vocabulary. Students should focus on different contexts in which 商 appears, such as commercial activities or historical references.
Cultural Note
The character 商 is deeply connected to China's historical Shang Dynasty, which is known for its advances in bronze working and the development of early Chinese writing. This dynasty's influence is still evident in Chinese culture and history today.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 商 with the similar-sounding character 常 (cháng), which means 'often' or 'regular'. For example, saying '常业' instead of '商业' for 'business' is incorrect. Always ensure to use '商' when referring to commerce.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 商
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Grammar Patterns of 商
商 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Sock Shop was one of the high-street success stories of the 80s.
10
摇滚乐自从朋克乐以后就已经过于商业化而缺乏新意了。
yáo gǔn lè zì cóng péng kè lè yǐ hòu jiù yǐ jīng guò yú shāng yè huà ér quē fá xīn yì le。
Rock'n'roll has become so commercialised and safe since punk.
Cultural Notes for 商
🏮Cultural insight
The character 商 is deeply connected to China's historical Shang Dynasty, which is known for its advances in bronze working and the development of early Chinese writing. This dynasty's influence is still evident in Chinese culture and history today.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, commerce is often tied to individual entrepreneurship, while in China, it is frequently linked to collective business practices and relationships.
Word Family of 商
Compounds6
熵shang1entropy
墒shang1silt; moist soil
謪
滳
蔏
螪
Words Containing This Character20
商Shāngcommerce
商业shāngyèbusiness商業
商店shāngdiànstore
商品shāngpǐncommodity
商量shāngliangto consult
商场shāngchǎngshopping mall商場
商人shāngrénmerchant
商务shāngwùcommercial商務
协商xiéshāngto consult with協商
智商zhìshāngIQ (intelligence quotient)
商标shāngbiāologo商標
工商gōngshāngindustry and commerce
厂商chǎngshāngmanufacturer廠商
制造商manufacturing company製造商
商家merchant
经销商dealer經銷商
商业银行commercial bank商業銀行
承包商contractor
招商investment promotion
商讨shāngtǎoto discuss商討
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 熵 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 商
Common phrases include 商业 (shāngyè - commerce), 商务 (shāngwù - business affairs), and 交易 (jiāoyì - trade).
Yes, it also refers to the Shang Dynasty and has musical significance as the second note in the pentatonic scale.
商 is pronounced as 'shāng' with a high-level tone. Make sure to avoid the falling tone, which would change its meaning.
